The expectations of a year ago, after the surprising surge into playoff contention in 2013-14, are gone. The Suns are back to an unknown after a season and summer of roster moves, decisions that at least keep them on the postseason bubble in the Western Conference bracket.

THREE POINTS

2. The Markieff Morris saga has to reach a conclusion. He said he wanted to be traded. The Suns had no intention (or at least no good options) of making that happen. So training camp begins with an important player either deciding the situation is workable after all -- or maintaining a hard line until he gets out.

3. Newcomer Tyson Chandler has a chance to make a positive impact for a team that finished 18th in shooting defense and 25th in rebounding percentage. Except that the Suns have a big commitment in Alex Len at center, with Len in his third season and coming off a 2014-15 season of some very encouraging moments.

MAN ON THE SPOT

Tyson Chandler can handle the spotlight after 14 seasons, many in major markets, and some championship drives. But four years and $52 million for a 33-year-old? That's a new set of expectations.